Self defence claim in attempted murder trial

File photo / NZ Herald

A Rotorua man accused of attempted murder was trying to protect himself and did not intend to kill the complainant, his lawyer has told a High Court jury.

Aaron John Peddle, 31, is on trial after pleading not guilty to attempting to murder long-time family friend James Sturt and another man he knew, Scott McGregor, last April 5.

Peddle has pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of injuring them with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr Sturt with a weapon, namely a car. However, that charge was amended yesterday (Wed.) to threatening to assault with a weapon, to which Peddle pleaded not guilty.

Rotorua Crown prosecutor Chris Macklin said there was an argument between Peddle and Mr Sturt and "bad blood turned to hot blood and then rage". Peddle rammed his car into the car being driven by Mr McGregor, in which Mr Sturt was a passenger. Peddle later told police he had tried to killed the two men and collided with their car "heaps" of times.

A defence witness told the court yesterday he was told by Mr Sturt that he had a knife that night but it was for show.

The witness, who was Peddle's friend, said he received a text from Peddle on the night of the incident saying "help". The witness said he texted back asking what was wrong but got no reply from Peddle.

In his closing address yesterday Peddle's lawyer, Paul Mabey, QC, said Peddle did not intend to kill either man. Mr Sturt was like a brother to Peddle and Mr Sturt had wanted to get involved in Peddle's cannabis growing venture. "It would take a huge decision for one of you to take the life of one of your own family.

"[The accused] was forced into a situation he didn't want to be in. He was followed, he saw the knife. He acted in a way to protect himself."

Mr Mabey said Peddle hit the car being driven by Mr McGregor to disable it. "If [the accused] intended to kill he would have hit them head-on. [Mr Sturt] never wore a seatbelt and he would have been killed."

Mr Mabey said Mr Sturt wouldn't look at him when he was cross-examined and had lied.

Peddle was distressed when he spoke to the police straight after the incident and the next day when he was charged he told police he couldn't believe he was being charged and said he was the victim, Mr Mabey said.

In his closing address, Mr Macklin said Peddle "lost the plot" and at the moment he hit the car, he intended to kill its occupants. Peddle was aggravated and in a rage, Mr Macklin said. He asked the jury to consider whether ramming a car was a reasonable response. Justice Graham Lang was to sum up the case today.